Cool Things to Draw on Photoshop

Learn how to hands turn whatever photograph into a blackness and white pencil sketch with Photoshop, and then learn three nifty ways to colorize the sketch!

Version note: This tutorial is for Photoshop CC 2019 and earlier. An updated version is available for Photoshop 2020 and 2021.

In this tutorial, we'll learn how to hands create a classic Photoshop outcome, turning a photo into a pencil sketch! In fact, we'll actually learn how to create four variations of the sketch event, starting with a simple black and white version. We'll and then have our black and white sketch and acquire a few different means to colorize it, first using the photo's original colors, then with a single colour, and so with a gradient!

We'll also learn how to go along our pencil sketch flexible and editable, letting us get dorsum and fine-tune things as needed, by taking advantage of Photoshop's Smart Filters, fill and adjustment layers, and layer blend modes.

This version of the tutorial is compatible with Photoshop CC 2019 and earlier, including Photoshop CS6. Merely Photoshop 2020 or 2021 users will desire to bank check out my updated version which includes recent changes to Photoshop's gradients.

Hither's the image I'll be using (stylish beauty portrait photograph from Shutterstock):

The original image.

Hither's how it will look equally the initial black and white sketch:

The black and white version of the sketch.

Here'south the aforementioned sketch colorized with the photograph's original colors:

The first colorized version of the sketch.

Here'south the same sketch once again, this fourth dimension colorized with a unmarried color (you lot tin can cull whatever color you like):

The second colorized version of the sketch.

And finally, here's how the sketch will look after colorizing it with a gradient. At the end of the tutorial, we'll see how to easily switch betwixt all 4 versions so you tin can choose the one you similar best:

The third colorized version of the sketch.

Let'southward go started!

How To Turn A Photo Into A Pencil Sketch With Photoshop

Step i: Duplicate The Background Layer

With your image newly opened in Photoshop, if you look in your Layers panel, you'll run into the image sitting on the Background layer, currently the only layer in the document:

The Layers console showing the photo on the Background layer.

We're going to need this original image over again later when we go to colorize the sketch, which means we'll need to make certain we don't make any changes to information technology. To keep it safe, the first thing we'll do is brand a re-create of the image by duplicating the Groundwork layer.

To do that, click on the Background layer and drag it downwards onto the New Layer icon at the lesser of the Layers panel (second icon from the right):

Dragging the Background layer onto the New Layer icon.

Release your mouse push when your manus cursor is directly over the New Layer icon. Photoshop makes a copy of the Background layer, names it "Groundwork re-create" and places it above the original:

The Layers console showing the new "Groundwork copy" layer.

Step 2: Desaturate The Layer

Next, we demand to remove all of the color from our "Background copy" layer, and we tin can practise that rapidly using Photoshop's Desaturate control. Go up to the Epitome menu in the Menu Bar forth the top of the screen, choose Adjustments, and and so choose Desaturate. You lot tin can also apply the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+U (Win) / Shift+Command+U (Mac):

Going to Paradigm > Adjustments > Desaturate.

Either way desaturates the epitome, leaving us with a black and white version of our photograph:

The image after desaturating the colour.

Step 3: Duplicate The Desaturated Layer

Next, we need to make a copy of our desaturated layer. Click on the Groundwork copy layer in the Layers panel and, just equally we did with the original Background layer, drag it downwards onto the New Layer icon:

Dragging the "Background copy" layer onto the New Layer icon.

When y'all release your mouse button, Photoshop makes a re-create of the layer, names it "Background re-create two" and places it above the other layers:

The new "Groundwork copy 2" layer appears at the peak of the layer stack.

Step four: Invert The Layer

We demand to invert the effulgence levels in this layer, making light areas dark and dark areas light, and we tin can do that using Photoshop'south Invert control. Become up to the Image card at the tiptop of the screen, choose Adjustments, and then cull Capsize (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+I (Win) / Command+I (Mac)):

Going to Image > Adjustments > Invert.

This inverts the image, creating a moving picture negative event:

The image after inverting the effulgence.

Step five: Change The Alloy Fashion To Color Contrivance

Next, we need to change the alloy mode of the layer. You'll find the Blend Manner option in the upper left of the Layers panel. By default, the blend mode is set to Normal. Click on the word "Normal" to bring up a carte of other alloy modes and choose Colour Dodge from the list:

Irresolute the blend mode of the layer from Normal to Color Dodge.

This will turn the certificate completely white, or at least mostly white (y'all may see a few scattered areas of black depending on your epitome):

Irresolute the blend mode to Color Dodge turns the document temporarily white.

Step 6: Convert The Layer Into A Smart Object

In a moment, we're going to create the principal office of our sketch outcome by blurring the layer using Photoshop's Gaussian Blur filter. But rather than applying it every bit a normal filter, let'south apply Gaussian Blur equally a Smart Filter.

What'southward a Smart Filter, and how is information technology different from a normal filter? Well, Smart Filters are just like normal filters in Photoshop, only smarter! What makes them "smarter" is that while normal filters produce static results (that is, they brand permanent changes to the pixels on a layer), Smart Filters are non-subversive and remain fully editable. They allow u.s. to easily get dorsum at any time and make changes to the filter's settings without whatever loss of image quality. Past applying Gaussian Blur as a Smart Filter, nosotros're giving ourselves the option to go back and fine-tune our sketch effect afterwards rather than locking ourselves in with our initial filter settings.

So how practice nosotros apply Gaussian Blur as a Smart Filter? For that, we first need to convert the layer to a Smart Object. Why do we need to convert it into a Smart Object? It's because, when a filter is practical to a normal layer, it remains a normal, static filter. But when the exact same filter is applied to a Smart Object, it automatically becomes a Smart Filter!

To convert the layer into a Smart Object, click on the small menu icon in the upper right corner of the Layers panel:

Clicking the Layers console menu icon.

Then choose Convert to Smart Object from the menu that appears:

Choosing the "Convert to Smart Object" control.

It may not seem like annihilation has happened, but if we await over again in the Layers panel, we now see a small Smart Object icon in the lower right corner of the layer'southward preview thumbnail. This tells us that the layer is now a Smart Object:

The Smart Object icon in the layer's preview thumbnail.

Step seven: Utilise The Gaussian Blur Filter

Now that we've converted the layer into a Smart Object, let's apply the Gaussian Mistiness filter. Become up to the Filter menu in the Menu Bar along the top of the screen, choose Blur, and then choose Gaussian Blur:

Going to Filter > Mistiness > Gaussian Mistiness.

This opens the Gaussian Blur dialog box. To create our main sketch effect, all nosotros need to do is apply some blurring to the layer (the Smart Object). We control the amount of blurring using the Radius slider forth the bottom of the dialog box. The further we drag the slider towards the correct, the more than nosotros increment the radius value and the stronger the blurring will appear.

The effect you reach will depend on how much blurring you lot've applied. Lower radius values will create a sketch with fine, thin lines, while larger values will give you a more photo-realistic outcome. For example, if I choose a fairly low radius value of around 10 pixels:

Starting with a lower radius value.

I finish up with this effect hither with very fine lines:

The sketch effect using a lower radius value.

If I increase the radius value to something much higher, maybe somewhere around 45 pixels:

Increasing the radius value for a stronger blur effect.

I end up with an effect that looks more like the original photo. The exact radius value you choose will depend both on your paradigm and the type of consequence you lot're going for, so the best affair to do is proceed an heart on your image every bit you drag the Radius slider and guess the results. In my case, even though I similar both versions, I think I similar this 2nd, more photo-realistic version a bit amend, so I'll go with this 1. Click OK when you lot're washed to close out of the Gaussian Blur dialog box:

The sketch effect with a larger radius value.

We have our chief sketch consequence, and nosotros created it using a Gaussian Blur Smart Filter. As I mentioned earlier, Smart Filters remain fully editable, allowing us to easily go dorsum and alter the filter's settings later if needed. How do nosotros do that? Well, if we wait again in the Layers panel, we now see the Gaussian Blur filter listed as a Smart Filter below the Smart Object nosotros applied it to. If, at any point, you start thinking that your sketch could use a bit more fine-tuning, simply double-click directly on the words "Gaussian Blur" to re-open the Gaussian Blur dialog box and elevate the Radius slider as needed:

Double-clicking the Gaussian Blur Smart Filter will re-open its dialog box.

Footstep 8: Add A Levels Adjustment Layer

We've created our main sketch effect, just depending on how much blurring you applied, you may be finding that your sketch is looking likewise lite. If that'south the example, nosotros can hands darken it using a Levels adjustment layer. To add a Levels adjustment layer, click on the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Clicking the New Fill up or Adjustment Layer icon.

Choose Levels from the list that appears:

Choosing a Levels adjustment layer.

Photoshop adds a Levels adjustment layer, names it "Levels 1", and places it above the other layers in the Layers panel:

The Layers panel showing the new Levels adjustment layer.

Step 9: Change The Layer Blend Style To Multiply

The options and controls for the Levels aligning layer announced in Photoshop'due south Properties panel, simply in that location's nil here that we need to practice with them. Instead, to darken the sketch, all nosotros need to practise is change the blend mode for the Levels adjustment layer from Normal to Multiply:

Changing the blend mode of the aligning layer to Multiply.

The Multiply blend mode is 1 of a group of blend modes in Photoshop that darken the paradigm, and right away, we run into that my sketch at present appears much darker:

The outcome later on irresolute the Levels blend way to Multiply.

If y'all detect, equally I do, that your sketch now appears too night, you lot tin can fine-tune the amount of darkening by adjusting the opacity of the Levels adjustment layer. You'll find the Opacity option straight across from the blend way option at the top of the Layers console.

The more y'all lower the opacity value beneath its default 100%, the more the layers beneath the Levels adjustment layer will evidence through, brightening the sketch back up. I'll lower mine down to around forty%, merely go on an eye on your image as you adapt the opacity to find the value that works best:

Lowering the opacity of the Levels adjustment layer.

Afterwards lowering the opacity, the overall brightness is now looking better:

Lowering the opacity brought back some of the brightness.

Footstep 10: Duplicate The Background Layer Again

At this point, we have our chief sketch issue, merely currently it'southward in black and white. Let'southward look at a few different means to colorize information technology. Nosotros'll get-go by using the photo'south ain original colors. For that, nosotros need to make another copy of the Background layer, so click on the Background layer (the original Groundwork layer that's sitting below the other layers) and, just as we've done a couple of times already, drag information technology downwards onto the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Making another re-create of the Background layer.

Photoshop makes a re-create of the layer, names it "Background re-create 3" and places it directly to a higher place the original Background layer:

The "Background copy 3" layer appears above the original Background layer.

Step xi: Rename The New Layer

We've created so many copies of our Background layer at this point that our Layers panel is condign cluttered with them, and they all have names ("Background copy", "Background copy two", "Groundwork re-create iii") that don't tell us anything nearly what the layer is existence used for. Let'south break the cycle and rename the layer nosotros simply created.

Nosotros're going to exist using the "Background copy iii" layer to colorize our sketch, so let's give information technology more descriptive proper name. To rename a layer, double-click directly on its name to highlight it:

Highlighting the electric current proper noun by double-clicking on information technology.

With the proper name highlighted, type in the new name. Let's name it "Colour". Press Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) on your keyboard when y'all're done to accept the name modify:

Changing the layer's name to "Color".

Step 12: Movement The "Color" Layer To The Top Of The Layer Stack

To use this layer to colorize the sketch, nosotros need to move information technology upwardly to the top of the layer stack; in other words, move it above all the other layers. I manner to do that would be to click on it and simply elevate it up above the other layers, just in that location'south a faster style. To jump a layer direct to the top of the layer stack, first make sure it's selected in the Layers panel. Then, printing and concord Shift+Ctrl (Win) / Shift+Command (Mac) on your keyboard and press your correct bracket key ( ] ). This will instantly jump the selected layer straight to the top:

The "Color" layer now sits at the top of the layer stack.

Stride 13: Change The Blend Mode To "Colour"

With the "Colour" layer now the top-well-nigh layer in the document, your original epitome volition re-appear, blocking the other layers below it from view, which is patently non what we desire. We want to blend the colour from the original image in with our sketch. To do that, simply modify the blend mode of the "Colour" layer from Normal to Color:

Changing the blend mode of the layer to Color.

The Color blend mode tells Photoshop to blend merely the color from this layer and ignore everything else, and just like that, the sketch is at present colorized:

The sketch colorized with the photo'south original colors.

If the color appears too potent, you tin reduce information technology by lowering the opacity of the "Color" layer. I'll lower mine down to fifty%:

Lowering the opacity of the "Color" layer.

And at present, the color appears more subtle:

The issue after lowering the opacity of the "Colour" layer.

Learn More: The Five Layer Alloy Modes You Need To Know

Step 14: Turn Off The "Color" Layer

If y'all like the mode your sketch effect looks using the photo's original colors, you can end here. Otherwise, let'southward look at a 2nd style to colorize it, this time using a unmarried color. Before we do, let'south plow off the "Color" layer by clicking its visibility icon (the "eyeball" icon) in the Layers console. This volition bring back the black and white version of the sketch:

Turning off the "Colour" layer by clicking its visibility icon.

Footstep 15: Add A Solid Color Fill Layer

To colorize the sketch with a single color, we'll use one of Photoshop's Solid Color make full layers. Click once more on the New Make full or Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.

And so cull Solid Color from the top of the listing that appears:

Choosing a Solid Color fill up layer.

As soon as yous select the Solid Color fill layer, Photoshop will popular open the Color Picker, asking you to choose your color. Don't worry about choosing the incorrect color here because, as nosotros'll run into in a moment, we tin can easily come back and pick a dissimilar 1. I'll choose a shade of blueish to encounter what that looks like:

Choosing blueish from the Colour Picker.

Pace 16: Alter The Blend Mode To Color

Once you've chosen a color, click OK to shut out of the Colour Picker. Your document will temporarily be filled with that colour, and if you lot look in the Layers panel, you'll run across the new fill layer, named "Color Fill 1", sitting at the top.

To blend the color in with the sketch, simply change the fill layer's blend mode from Normal to Colour:

Changing the fill layer's blend mode to Color.

And now, the sketch appears colorized, in my case with blue:

The sketch colorized with bluish.

If you desire to try a different color, double-click on the fill layer's color swatch in the Layers panel:

Double-clicking the fill up layer's color swatch.

This re-opens the Color Picker, allowing you lot to choose something different. I'll endeavour a pinkish-purple this fourth dimension:

Choosing a different color from the Color Picker.

I'll click OK to shut out of the Color Picker, and now my sketch appears with my new color. You lot can go dorsum and effort every bit many different colors as you lot like until you lot find the ane that works best:

The sketch colorized with purple.

To reduce the intensity of the colour, simply lower the fill layer'south opacity, keeping an eye on the results as you elevate the slider:

Lowering the opacity of the fill up layer.

Step 17: Plow Off The Fill Layer

Let's look at i more way to colorize the sketch, this fourth dimension using a gradient. Outset, turn off the fill layer by clicking on its visibility icon in the Layers console. This will one time over again return you to the black and white version of the sketch:

Clicking the make full layer's visibility icon.

Stride 18: Add A Gradient Fill Layer

To colorize the sketch with a slope, nosotros'll utilize a Gradient make full layer. Click in one case again on the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.

This time, choose Gradient from the list:

Choosing a Gradient fill layer.

This opens the Gradient Make full dialog box. I covered everything you lot need to know about drawing and editing gradients in Photoshop in our How To Draw Gradients With The Gradient Tool and How To Use The Gradient Editor tutorials and so I won't go into detail here. Instead, let's look at how to rapidly select one of Photoshop's preset gradients and how to apply it to our sketch.

To choose a gradient, click on the small pointer to the right of the gradient colour swatch at the top of the dialog box. Don't click on the color swatch itself or yous'll open the Slope Editor which is across the scope of this tutorial. Brand sure yous click on the arrow to the right of the colour swatch:

Clicking the arrow to the right of the slope color swatch.

This opens the Gradient Picker, showing us thumbnails of preset gradients we can choose from. To select a gradient, double-click on its thumbnail. This volition both select the gradient and close the Gradient picker. For this tutorial, I'll cull the Spectrum gradient (first thumbnail on the left, bottom row):

Selecting the Spectrum gradient.

Back in the Gradient Fill up dialog box, I'll change the Angle of the slope from its default 90° to 135°, which volition crusade it to run diagonally across the image, creating a bit more than involvement:

Changing the angle of the slope.

Click OK to close out of the dialog box when you lot're done. Your document will temporarily be filled with the gradient:

The slope temporarily blocks the sketch from view.

Step 19: Alter The Blend Mode To Color

If we await in the Layers panel, we run into the Slope make full layer ("Gradient Fill 1") sitting at the top. But equally nosotros've done a couple of times already, to blend the gradient in with the sketch, simply change the blend way of the Gradient Make full layer from Normal to Color:

Changing the blend mode of the Gradient Make full layer to Colour.

Then, adapt the intensity of the colors if needed past lowering the layer'due south opacity:

Lowering the opacity of the Gradient Fill layer.

Here's what my sketch looks like colorized with the Spectrum slope:

The final colorized sketch effect.

Choosing One Of The Previous Color Effects

Now that we've colorized the sketch with a slope, what if you like ane of the previous colorized versions better (the one using the photo's original colors or the i using the single color)? Or, what if you don't similar any of the colorized versions and want to go dorsum to the black and white version? How do y'all switch back?

It's easy. Commencement, to hide the gradient, click on the Slope Fill layer's visibility icon in the Layers panel. With all 3 colorizing layers (the "Color" layer, the Solid Color fill layer and the Gradient Fill up layer) now turned off, you'll be dorsum to your black and white version:

Clicking the Gradient Fill layer's visibility icon.

Then, to bring back the single color version, click on the Solid Color fill up layer'due south visibility icon (the empty square where the eyeball used to be) to turn it back on. Or, to bring dorsum the photo'southward original colors, click the "Color" layer's visibility icon. I'll plow my "Colour" layer back on:

Clicking the "Colour" layer's visibility icon.

And now I'grand back to my sketch beingness colorized with the photo'due south original colors:

The original colors render.

And there we have information technology! That'south how to easily plow a photo into a black and white pencil sketch, along with a few different ways to colorize it, in Photoshop! If you lot found this tutorial helpful, please consider supporting Photoshop Essentials by downloading the PDF version! Check out our Photo Effects section for more Photoshop effects tutorials!

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